Clashes break out in Dhaka as protesters urge PM to resign

Police in Dhaka fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse supporters of Bangladesh's opposition party who were holding sit-in protests at all the entry points to the capital to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by ailing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has been protesting over who should oversee the next general election, expected to be held early next year.

Hasina hopes to return to power for a fourth consecutive term and says the election should be held under her government's supervision, as specified in the constitution.

But Zia’s party and its allies accuse Hasina of vote rigging in 2018 and say she must step down to allow the installation of a non-party caretaker government to ensure a free and fair vote.

Zia and Hasina are archrivals and have led the country at different times since 1991.

The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have urged both sides to demonstrate restraint and work toward holding a credible election.